Tioga Road: Rotary plows have reached the Siesta Lake area just past the 8,000 foot elevation mark. Snow depths average 10 feet in depth. Charcoal has been spread over Olmsted Point to aid the melting of the snow above the road. Crews will work Monday through Saturday.

Glacier Point Road: Dozers have plowed off enough snow that the rotary blowers are to Washburn Point. Work will continue Monday through Thursday working down through the switchbacks to the parking lot. Average snow depth is still eight feet.

Mariposa Grove: The road is open; all weight restrictions have been removed.

Sounds like the Glacier Point road MIGHT be open for Memorial weekend barring no additional snow, completion of road repair, and clearing the road of fallen trees & rocks.I can have some hope for it being open when I'm there June 4th.

Quotegtbhiker
Sounds like the Glacier Point road MIGHT be open for Memorial weekend barring no additional snow, completion of road repair, and clearing the road of fallen trees & rocks.I can have some hope for it being open when I'm there June 4th.

I spoke to a ranger today and for what it's worth he says the talk is June 24th give or take a week as the opening date. He sounded like an overall optimistic fellow and said he personally believed the road would open by June 17th, but the cueent window goes out until July 1st.

My day crossing-over is July 24th, so I'll consider that a 50/50 chance for now, with the optimists on my side.

QuoteSwamp Thing
I spoke to a ranger today and for what it's worth he says the talk is June 24th give or take a week as the opening date. He sounded like an overall optimistic fellow and said he personally believed the road would open by June 17th, but the cueent window goes out until July 1st.

My day crossing-over is July 24th, so I'll consider that a 50/50 chance for now, with the optimists on my side.

Based on what I've seen over quite a number of years I think there's a very good probability that the road will be open by then.

That house was up and running in the 70's. I lived in Mammoth in the arly 70's and would drive by it on my way to Lee Vining and north. It's just to the west of 395. I remember in the late afternoon seeing people sitting outside on chairs with their favorite drinks just enjoying their company and the views. Once saw a covered wagon pulled by a couple of mules owned by a guy who travelled the states in it and happened by this house and apparently was offered some hospitality. I think it went into disrepair in the 80's.

Tioga Road: No update. Previous update: Rotary plows have reached the Siesta Lake area just past the 8,000 foot elevation mark. Snow depths average 10 feet in depth. Charcoal has been spread over Olmsted Point to aid the melting of the snow above the road. Crews will work Monday through Saturday.

Glacier Point Road: Crews worked on widening along the Glacier Point Road and clearing in the parking lot. Snow depth in the lower lot is 3 to 4 feet and the upper lot is 4 to 7 feet. Next week, crews will begin plowing the trail between the parking lot and the point.

It's a bit ironic that you posted that photo of the Giro D'Italia, since it was the death of cyclist Wouter Weylandt at this year's Giro D'Italia just this past Monday during a mountain decent that has made the organizers and the participants of the Tour of California a bit jittery about racing through the mountains in far less than ideal conditions.

Is the opening of Tioga Road an all or nothing thing? We were planning to hike from Tenaya Lake--> Clouds Rest--> Half Dome on 6/20, but I got a call from the reservations folks yesterday to cancel our night before at Tuolumne Meadows. I'm wondering if the road might be open to a certain point for shuttle service by then, but just not all the way to Tuolumne, or does it all open at once? We've never hiked in Yosemite-- have been looking forward to it for months and I'm really hoping we can still do this hike. Thanks for any information you can share.

Tioga Road: Yesterday, crews started at Yosemite Creek and ended at an avalanche zone, plowing 1.6 miles. Crews will attempt to go through the avalanche zone today, conditions permitting.

Glacier Point Road: No update. Last update: Crews worked on widening along the Glacier Point Road and clearing in the parking lot. Snow depth in the lower lot is 3 to 4 feet and the upper lot is 4 to 7 feet. Next week, crews will begin plowing the trail between the parking lot and the point.

Quotechick-on
It's feet of snow. Those are cat tracks....If it was inches... they would just plow it and be done... not drive a cat over it.

Here is Glacier Point Rd. on Sunday near Taft Parking lot:

Is that Chick-on under the vertical pile of snow in the 2 o'clock direction relative to the snowshoes?

The Tuolumne Meadows sensor is reading less than 15" of snow.I don't believe that reading because White Wolf and Dana Meadows are both in the 60-70" range and the rate of thickness decrease recorded by the TM sensor far exceeds that shown by WW and DM. (Either the sensor is faulty or the Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers have established a tanning salon at the weather station site.)

QuoteszalkowskiThe Tuolumne Meadows sensor is reading less than 15" of snow.I don't believe that reading because White Wolf and Dana Meadows are both in the 60-70" range and the rate of thickness decrease recorded by the TM sensor far exceeds that shown by WW and DM. (Either the sensor is faulty or the Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers have established a tanning salon at the weather station site.)

The sensor didn't agree at all with the May 1st survey. So I'd say it's broken.

It's brokey. If there were only 15" then you would be able to make out that big old reeverin the meadow... and it would be Lake Tuolumne...Note the second sign in the photo too. The left side is does not have a steep bank.

I guess my question would be is how much work is there to be done after it is plowed? It seems like they are rather close to finishing it (or at least the plows from either side meeting?) from the updates over the last 2 weeks and the ground they have covered.

QuoteszalkowskiHistorically, the Eastside crews haven't gone significantly further than where they are now (the W end of Tuolumne Meadows).

They're over by Spring Hill now. That's quite a bit past Tuolumne.

The Marmots have always considered Marmot Dome to anchor the W end of Tuolumne Meadows, as Lembert does the E end.(Spring Hill is in their backyard. That's where they raise their chickens. Where do you think the term "spring chicken" comes from?)

QuoteszalkowskiHistorically, the Eastside crews haven't gone significantly further than where they are now (the W end of Tuolumne Meadows).

They're over by Spring Hill now. That's quite a bit past Tuolumne.

The Marmots have always considered Marmot Dome to anchor the W end of Tuolumne Meadows, as Lembert does the E end.(Spring Hill is in their backyard. That's where they raise their chickens. Where do you think the term "spring chicken" comes from?)

QuoteszalkowskiHistorically, the Eastside crews haven't gone significantly further than where they are now (the W end of Tuolumne Meadows).

They're over by Spring Hill now. That's quite a bit past Tuolumne.

The Marmots have always considered Marmot Dome to anchor the W end of Tuolumne Meadows, as Lembert does the E end.(Spring Hill is in their backyard. That's where they raise their chickens. Where do you think the term "spring chicken" comes from?)

If you mean on the N side of the road, that's Daff Dome.Marmot Dome is the dome NE of Fairview Dome and connected to it by the saddle.I think that Spring Hill is inside the loop that the road takes just N of Fairview/Marmot and W of Pothole.

The Tioga Road has been partly plowed for its entire length. Now, road crews are working to remove snow from the entire width of the road and plow turnouts and side roads. In addition, road crews will be removing rockslides and redirecting snowmelt across the road to reduce icy road conditions. Finally, Olmsted Point is still unsafe due to avalanche danger.

The Tioga Road is now open to bicycles from Crane Flat to Yosemite Creek Bridge. Please watch out for debris on the road and road crew traffic. If conditions allow, we will extend the bicycle zone farther east prior to the opening.

Mono County Public WorksMono County and Mammoth Mountain road crews meet up with National Park Service road crews. May 31, 2011.

At the big meeting this morning I believe I remember the Superintendent saying it was "Cathedral Lake." I'm assuming that was the trail head, not the lake. But that picture looks further west than that trail head.

At the big meeting this morning I believe I remember the Superintendent saying it was "Cathedral Lake." I'm assuming that was the trail head, not the lake. But that picture looks further west than that trail head.

If it was the lake, they were way off course. Looks like where the use trail meets the road, not the Tuolumne trailhead.

I'm a good swimmer, but have no plans to swim... The ranger I spoke to on the phone about 2 weeks ago thought the water would be about waist deep. If it's really high enough that we'd have to swim, we'll probably change routes.

QuoteKristin
I'm a good swimmer, but have no plans to swim... The ranger I spoke to on the phone about 2 weeks ago thought the water would be about waist deep. If it's really high enough that we'd have to swim, we'll probably change routes.

Kristin,

Sorry, I was being a bit over the top. Swimming is not necessary, just the ability and willingness to get hip deep in very cold water. One month later it will be mostly gone.

i too, am skeptical about maintaining bodily function while crossing waist deep icewater. however, my 18yr old son is stoked and thinks i'm a whimp. ok, how far a walk (and how many seconds) is it across this cryogenic chasm of pure pain? sevaral years ago (in early june) while on vacation in michigan's upper pennisula, i remember my boy and i having a contest to see who could stand ankle deep in lake superior water the longest -- needless to say, he won .... and i'm still recovering from the agony!!!!!

i too, am skeptical about maintaining bodily function while crossing waist deep icewater. however, my 18yr old son is stoked and thinks i'm a whimp. ok, how far a walk (and how many seconds) is it across this cryogenic chasm of pure pain?

Distance: roughly 50 ft. when it's running high and fast, if I recall correctly.Time: you can linger in it as long as you want.

Quotemtc
50ft? i was under the impression that early in the season it was like 100 yds.

The "banked channel" section is what I am referring to. The north bank is higher than the south one and it is a flat woodland area south of the crossing. If the water overflows the channel, an extensive area to the south will become submerged but only to a depth of perhaps a foot.(Again, I haven't been through there for quite a few years and I may be accessing memories somewhat corrupted by time. If what I have posted isn't essentially accurate, I hope that someone will chime in and correct me.)

Buy a cheap pair o neoprene socks... and maybe some scuba shorts for your dingle balls.(btw... I brought my scuba booties on Jack Main Canyon trip... turned out I neverused them on account of a) I was able to work around everything with snow bridgesand b) no friggin way was I crossing Falls Creek)(rangers saw them on the way out when had to show them my bear can... amazinglythey didn't cuff me and take me to the loony bin)

That 50 ft. estimate was basically from where this photo was taken to the "high ground" where the people are standing.

Yeah. I knew that. But you think I'm not gonna give you a hard time whenever possible?

We know that the chikin still knew it because it hasn't been more than 5 minutes since Goatie last told him... again.We told szalkowski to point it out for mtc's benefit.(RebootingTheChikinPeriodically Yours)The Marmots

That 50 ft. estimate was basically from where this photo was taken to the "high ground" where the people are standing.

Yeah. I knew that. But you think I'm not gonna give you a hard time whenever possible?

We know that the chikin still knew it because it hasn't been more than 5 minutes since Goatie last told him... again.We told szalkowski to point it out for mtc's benefit.(RebootingTheChikinPeriodically Yours)The Marmots

Buy a cheap pair o neoprene socks... and maybe some scuba shorts for your dingle balls.(btw... I brought my scuba booties on Jack Main Canyon trip... turned out I neverused them on account of a) I was able to work around everything with snow bridgesand b) no friggin way was I crossing Falls Creek)(rangers saw them on the way out when had to show them my bear can... amazinglythey didn't cuff me and take me to the loony bin)

i too, am skeptical about maintaining bodily function while crossing waist deep icewater. however, my 18yr old son is stoked and thinks i'm a whimp. ok, how far a walk (and how many seconds) is it across this cryogenic chasm of pure pain? sevaral years ago (in early june) while on vacation in michigan's upper pennisula, i remember my boy and i having a contest to see who could stand ankle deep in lake superior water the longest -- needless to say, he won .... and i'm still recovering from the agony!!!!!

Chick-on and I measured the temp of water flowing in Falls Creek at 33 degrees. The water flowing out of Tenaya could be very near that. Lets say waist deep at even 40 degrees equals no children or worse yet no grandchildren.

Chick-on and I crossed the Tuolumne River at Poopenaut where it was only about 20 feet wide and only thigh deep. The water was probably in the fifties but man was it painful.

Chick-on and I measured the temp of water flowing in Falls Creek at 33 degrees. The water flowing out of Tenaya could be very near that. Lets say waist deep at even 40 degrees equals no children or worse yet no grandchildren.

Chick-on and I crossed the Tuolumne River at Poopenaut where it was only about 20 feet wide and only thigh deep. The water was probably in the fifties but man was it painful.

I've swam in Lake Superior, north and south shores...I only had a big problem at Neyes Provincial Park, where the water temperature gave me an instant headache.

I think the bigger issue would be the velocity of the water...waist deep fast moving water is very dangerous because it's fast moving. I haven't crossed the creek in question under high water, I'll leave further comment to those who have, but the so-far posted pictures wouldn't worry me excessively.

Quotettilley
I've swam in Lake Superior, north and south shores...I only had a big problem at Neyes Provincial Park, where the water temperature gave me an instant headache.

I think the bigger issue would be the velocity of the water...waist deep fast moving water is very dangerous because it's fast moving. I haven't crossed the creek in question under high water, I'll leave further comment to those who have, but the so-far posted pictures wouldn't worry me excessively.

The Yosemite ranger I spoke to a few weeks ago said the water would NOT be fast moving. Just cold and high.

i too, am skeptical about maintaining bodily function while crossing waist deep icewater. however, my 18yr old son is stoked and thinks i'm a whimp. ok, how far a walk (and how many seconds) is it across this cryogenic chasm of pure pain? sevaral years ago (in early june) while on vacation in michigan's upper pennisula, i remember my boy and i having a contest to see who could stand ankle deep in lake superior water the longest -- needless to say, he won .... and i'm still recovering from the agony!!!!!

You can wade in water that is 30 degrees and you can do it for a very long time. The way I know is I saw the movie Titanic. Rose was only dressed in a flimsey dress, but was able to move back and forth in waist deep water with no issues whatsoever

Quotetelfair ave
You can wade in water that is 30 degrees and you can do it for a very long time. The way I know is I saw the movie Titanic. Rose was only dressed in a flimsey dress, but was able to move back and forth in waist deep water with no issues whatsoever

We were going in non-motorized as a contingency, with trailers/sleds for the bikes(runners in the winter, small wheels for the summer), to hold the packs(both of us are in very good shape from running and biking) and thought this would be a blast. We were thinking we could get to the upper campgrounds in Lee Vining and start from there. One day to bike in, and hoof down to Glen Aulin via the back door trail, Monday hike down to LeConte, Tuesday come outI had something come up with my business and needed to head back to the SF Bay Area, sooner than anticipated, so we had to come up with an alternative trip. We ended up doing Chilanualna Falls on Sunday, spending the night at the top, blasting down in the AM and spent the day in the Valley.. Holy CRAP!!!! Yogi Berra was right, no one goes there anymore, it's too crowded. It was just insane with people, so it was a good reminder of why we don't go there. Not a bad day though, Yosemite Falls was certainly not at the max I have seen it, but Bridalveil was, plus we got to see a few very seasonal falls, and took a pantload of pictures for the tourists and their families :&gt)Stairstep was going nicely, so it was a nice experience, but totally pathetic walking around Curry Village with a camera around your neck.My pics can be seen at - https://picasaweb.google.com/danceswithmules/ChilanualnaFallsJune2011. I also managed to forget my tent poles, so we had to improvise. Owning your own business makes for some interesting time management studies :>((, plus being the first trip of the year, I could have sworn the poles were in the bag with the tent, as they usually are... not this time. But all in good fun and with Big Agnes underneath me, a 15 degree bag, the falls making some great white noise, and doing a 10 mile run/race in Tahoe on Saturday, I slept like rock and never noticed the tent ceiling was so low....

The Tioga Road has been partly plowed for its entire length. Now, road crews are working to remove snow from the entire width of the road and plow turnouts and side roads. In addition, road crews will be removing rockslides and redirecting snowmelt across the road to reduce icy road conditions. Finally, Olmsted Point is still unsafe due to avalanche danger.

Beginning Friday, June 10, the Tioga Road will be open to (non-motorized) bicycles from Crane Flat to Olmsted Point. There will be no access beyond Olmsted Point due to the avalanche zone just east of Olmsted Point. From the east, the road is open to bikes from US 395 to the west end of Tuolumne Meadows. It will be signed accordingly. Please be on the lookout for debris falling into the road and administrative vehicles travelling back and forth.

Open to vehicles. Saw another poster elsewhere claiming they were told by NPS it would be opened on Friday June 17. Maybe to TM from the east but not all the way across. Seems like Olmstead Point is the big hazard at this point.

Quotecjoz
Open to vehicles. Saw another poster elsewhere claiming they were told by NPS it would be opened on Friday June 17. Maybe to TM from the east but not all the way across. Seems like Olmstead Point is the big hazard at this point.

If the Olmstead Point Avalanche Zone is still a big hazard, the Park Service should have one of their choppers hover over it, and with the heat of its exhaust and the wind generated by its blades, blow and melt and remaining snow off the avalanche zone.

Thanks for the update. BTW, this is post #1 for me, nice to join a place with similar interests. I guess I finally have to reconsider my Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne trip on Thursday the 23rd :-) Even if the road does open, I'd have to assume there's going to be a few hairy places along the river. Down around Pate, a few years ago, I was up to my waist, probably not the smartest thing I ever did. Does anyone know what the water level is now? Maybe if the snow hasn't melted, maybe not crazy high?

It fluctuates. Last year when we got GCT permit in mid June the commentby the ranger was something to the effect of "It's completely flooded at Waterwheels".This was bollocks mainly due to the fact that there is no way it would be flooded THERE.But... there were monster logs on the trail and lots of driftwood on the trail further along.as in:https://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/GCTuolumne#5482999888004321730

Normally when the ranger says "can't make it"... we just say "that's ok... we'll turn aroundif we don't like the look of things... and come back another day... we don't HAVE to get to xyz".(on this one... we said screw it dayhiking to Pate at Register after someone tooka spill next to the creek and hurt her bum)